Bulgarian Crops Hurting

Grain crops in Bulgaria are hurting from drought and heat stress, according to the Dobrudzha Agriculture Institute.

Yields this year will be 20-25% lower than in 2008 they say.

Yields in the northeast, which has the most fertile soil in Bulgaria, will struggle to reach the usual 500 kg of wheat per decare, they say.

The Institute expects about 400-500 kg of barley per decare in the northeast, and about 200-300 kg in Southern Bulgaria.

The amount of rain in Northeast Bulgaria in the spring thus far had been only 15 litres per square metre which was very insufficient, they noted.